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Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Communications Officer/Dispatcher

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PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Communications Officer/Dispatcher

Last updated on October 29, 2024
PST Partner Agency since June 01, 2016

Community Information

Washington State boasts lush rainforests, majestic mountain ranges, freshwater lakes, a rugged coastline, rolling hills, alpine meadows, high desert, and winding rivers – a diverse landscape that is home to nearly seven million people and a variety of fish and wildlife species. Land this rich in natural beauty and habitat is ideal for those seeking outdoor recreational opportunities. Most Washingtonians and many visitors enjoy participating in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, clam digging, boating, and wildlife watching, on both public and private lands throughout the state.


Although Washington’s recreating public tends to have the most contact with our Officers, Fish and Wildlife Police Officers are deployed statewide in both rural and urban areas to enforce all Washington State laws (including criminal code, traffic laws, etc.), fish and wildlife regulations, and specific federal laws.

Department Information

Communications Officers are employed at the WDFW's "WILDCOMM" Statewide Communications Center at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, WA. This is a law enforcement dispatch and communications system open 7 days a week, from 7AM to 8PM. Our Communications Officers are part of the Enforcement Program that supports 176 commissioned staff, which include a Chief, Deputy-Chief, Captains, Lieutenants, Detectives, Sergeants, and Officers. Communications Officers work 40 hours per week, to include weekends.

Job Description

Communications Officers primary role is to support our WDFW/DNR staff in the field.  Additionally, Communications Officers also provide customer service to the great residents of Washington State.

Area Information

County: Statewide
Population: Eight (8) Million +
# of Staff: 7

Hiring Status

We anticipate hiring one (1) to two (2) Communications Officer in-training to Communications Officer 1 late spring / early summer of 2025. Your test scores are held valid for one year from the date of testing.

Salary Information

Communications Officer 43SP (In-Training to Communications Officer 1) - $4,143.00 - $5,544.00, monthly depending on qualifications.

Communications Officer 1 49SP - $4,783.00 - $6,430.00, once training is completed.

Benefit Information

Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, military leave, 11 paid holidays, excellent health, life, and long term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and a state retirement plan.

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Communications Officer/Dispatcher Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
Typing Test Yes, required

The typing test is a critical component of your written test score and you are required to complete the online typing test within 90 days (before or after) your written exam. You will be allowed four (4) attempts at the typing test every seven (7) days and are responsible for selecting the score that you want PST to forward to the agencies you have applied with.

35 WPM; 90% Accuracy

PST Personal History Statement Yes, required within 14 days of passing required exam(s)
Minimum Age 18
Citizenship US Citizen
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required Yes
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult None.
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile None.
Ability to Read, Speak & Write the English Language Yes
Veterans Preference Points Yes
Other Preference Points No, other preference points are not available.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We only consider the most recent score
Request/Access Scores On an as-needed basis as vacancies occur
Dispatch Typing Test 35 WPM; 90% Accuracy.
50 WPM is preferred.

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Communications Officer/Dispatcher Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Automatic DUI within five years. Also includes reduced charges (e.g. negligent driving).
Automatic Pattern of traffic violations and/or auto accidents in the past five years or while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Potential Applicant's driving record.
Drug Usage
Automatic Use of marijuana in the last 6 months.
Automatic Illegal drug use other than marijuana in the last 3 years, unless there was an immediate, emergency medical circumstance to justify the use of a prescription controlled substance not prescribed to the person.
Automatic Illegal drug use while employed in a criminal justice capacity
Automatic Manufacture, sale, transporting for sale, or facilitating the sale of illegal drugs (unless under 21 at the time AND the act occurred more than 10 years from the date of application).
Potential Pattern or history of drug use.
Potential Illegal drug use while serving in the military.
Potential Note:
Drug schedules 1-5 derived from RCW 69.50.204, RCW 69.50.206, RCW 69.50.208, RCW 69.50.210 and RCW 69.50.212

"Possession" is defined as having actual physical control of any illegal (non-prescribed) drug for personal use or otherwise.

"Use" is defined as trying, testing, or experimenting, which includes, but is not limited to tasting, smoking, injecting, absorbing, sniffing, or inhaling.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any felony conviction.
Automatic Any criminal conviction while employed as a criminal justice professional.
Automatic Conviction for any crime under a domestic violence statute.
Potential Adult misdemeanor convictions.
Potential Pattern of Fish and Wildlife and/or natural resource violations.
Employment
Automatic Dishonorable discharge from the United States armed forces.
Automatic Falsification of the application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during hiring process.
Automatic Previous revocation or denial of any CJTC/POST certified status, or suspension of current CJTC/POST certified status.
Potential Civil litigation while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Potential Civil litigation while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Potential Civil litigation while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Financial
Automatic Failure to pay income tax or child support.
Potential Current credit accounts in collection or unresolved accounts in collection.
Other
Potential Any conduct or pattern of behavior that would tend to disrupt, diminish or otherwise jeopardize public trust in the law enforcement profession.
Automatic No Personal History Statement.
Potential Candidates with any tattoos that are deemed offensive may be disqualified.
Potential Incomplete Personal History Statement (PHS), or inaccurate/outdated information provided in Personal History Statement.  Note: PHS must be complete to be considered for employment.  This document is utilized for the background investigation.
Potential Pattern of fish and wildlife violations

Contact Information

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife - Communications Officer/Dispatcher

1111 Washington ST SE
Olympia, WA 98501 Statewide County
360-902-2936

Website
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Contact a Recruiter
Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
Typing Test: Yes, required

PST Personal History Statement: Yes, required within 14 days of passing required exam(s)


Other Washington State Dept. of Fish & Wildlife positions

Fish and Wildlife Officer
Lateral Fish and Wildlife Officer